Surviving the Holiday Season with Social Anxiety

The holidays are supposed to be all about good cheer, but the only thing you feel is anxious. There’s the stress of getting the right gifts and not going over budget, but then there’s the added worry and dread of the social aspect the time of year brings. Family celebrations, corporate holidays, parties, and other social events around this time have you feeling all but excited about the days and weeks the lie ahead. Wanting nothing more than to hide in your room gorging on holiday foods and binge-watching festive shows, you know you have to do something to try and ease those fears.

As more than 10 million Americans suffer from social anxieties and phobias, you should first know that you’re not alone. The angst of wondering how you’ll be perceived by others (known and unknown) can be dreadful. You’re worried about what to wear, what to cook, what to say, and how to portray yourself in a light that won’t get you judged and it’s got you so worked up you’re not sure how you’re going to get through. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can try to ease those fears and enjoy the holiday season.

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself – It may be a season for celebration and gatherings, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept every invitation you receive or host an event for hundreds of people. Don’t do any more than you feel you can handle. Perhaps go to your office party but only stay for a few hours. Instead of inviting everyone to your place, keep it intimate with just a few close relatives.

Lend a Helping Hand – Sitting idly by during a social event can essentially heighten those fears. You’re staring around the room wondering who’s staring back and how to strike up the perfect conversation. Instead, keep yourself busy by volunteering to help the host prepare or entertain their guests. It provides some interaction but helps take the focus off your social fears.

Take a CBD Supplement – You can actually get help with focus from CBD. A chemical component of the hemp plant, CBD helps to treat anxiety by boosting the level of serotonin which improves mood. This can help you to focus less on your fears and more on the spirit of the season. As alcohol is common at social functions CBD supplements may also be ideal should you drink. Does CBD cure hangovers? It can, in fact, its healing effects can treat symptoms like nausea, upset stomach, and headaches which are all attributed to a hangover.

Find Ways to Break the Ice – If you’re nervous about socializing with others, think of ways to break the ice that don’t require as much communication. Perhaps get up and dance with others when a good song comes on or play card games and board games to pass the time. These activities can often spark a conversation that is natural and less stressful.

Positive Affirmations – When you find yourself honing in on everything that could go wrong during the holiday events, you need to find a way to switch the vibe. Find someplace secluded like a restroom. Take a few deep breaths, and recite a few positive affirmations to help bring you back down to reality.

Feeling anxious in social environments is more common than you think and is nothing to be ashamed of. As you don’t want to isolate yourself during the holidays and become depressed, it is imperative that you find ways to push through despite your social fears. The above tips can help keep you calm and focused on what really matters most – the togetherness of friends and families.